Air activator



Oct. 2, 1934-. R JOHN 1,975,427

AIR ACTIVATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1932 36 Z9 15 J0 20 W 42 Patented Oct. 2, 1934 1,975,427 IR Ao'rrva'ron Robert John, New York, N. Y. Application August 29, 1932, Serial No. 630,970

12 Claims.

This invention relates to means for regulating the quantity and/r character of the output of oxygen .activators or ozonizers and methods for utilizing such means to produce useful results.

7 The means and the methods herein are adaptable to many kinds of ozonizers and other oxygen activators but are particularly useful in conjunction with air activators of the type described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 623,227, filed July 18, 1932, in which is disclosed an air activating element in which the degree and/or character of activation is governed by the'lateral spacing apart of an under and an outer electrode secured to opposite faces of a single dielectric '15 plate.

It is obviously advantageous tobe able to vary the amount of output or its character, or both; of such an air activator, to suit different conditions, without changing the internal structure of the air activating device. The present invention has for its object to provide an external means for effecting such changes whereby the output of a given air activator may be varied at will, by the turning of :an external died without altering the mternalstructure of the device or effectingany permanent change therein or harm thereto.

It has been found that the output of devices of the kind referred to above is influenced by the rise and fall of the line voltage of the power source to which-the activator is connectediby differences in temperature and humidity; and by thespecificrequirements regarding the volume and character of output which arise from 5 time'to time as a result of different uses to which the device may be put. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, and infallible means. whereby the volume and/or character of the activated gases produced by such a device may be exactly suited to meet a wide range of differences iii-power input, a wide range of temperatures and humidity and 'a wide range of uses to which the instrument may be applied, all by the means of the manipulation of an external regulator.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description of one-embodiment of the invention shown in the-attacheddrawing, of which:

v Figure 1 is an-elevation partly in section of the air activator; Y

' Figure '2. is a plan view showing-thecontrolling means in intermediate position; a

.55 Figure 3.is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the controlling means in one extreme position; and

Figure ,4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the cont-rolling means in its other extreme position. '60

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 10 indicates the airactivating element in general, 11 a transformer casing upon which the element 1-0 is mounted, and 12 indicates the controlling means for the air activator. 6d

The activator element 10 comprises a thin circular dielectric plate 13 mounted in a metallic rim 1%. An electrode 15 which may be of me tallic foil, is secured to, the undersurface of the dielectric plate 13 preferably by a thin layer of (0 dielectric cement. As shown in Figure 1, the metalrim 14 completely-surrounds the dielectric plate 13 and is provided with a notch 16 in which the dielectric plate is positioned. The metal rim 14 preferablyextends downwardly from the dielectricplate to form an inverted dish-shaped element. The hollow portion of this dish-shaped element is preferably filled with a dielectric cement or other insulating material. 1'7. -A conductor 18 is in electrical connection with the so electrode 15 and extends through the dielectric cement 17.

The upper wall 19 of the transformer casing 11 is provided with an aperture 20 in which is positioned a projection 21 on a dielectric member 5' 22 suitably secured to the upper wall 19 asby rivets 23. Centrally located in the dielectric member 22, a metallic nut 24 is provided such that a portion 25 of the dielectric member 22 is positioned between the nut 24 and the exterior of the co transformer casing. The connector 18 may be screw threaded as shown in Figure 1 to engage a screw threaded aperture in the nut 24, and serves to retain the air activator element 10: in position upon the transformer casing.

As shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the metallic rim 14 is preferably flush with the outer surface of the dielectric plate 13 and this rim member is in electrical connection with the transformer casing and serves as one electrode of the air activating element as willbe hereinafter described. The means 12 for controlling] the character of the electrical discharge comprises a stud 26 suitably secured to the wall 19 of the transformer casing as by riveting over'a'portion 27 thereof which extends through anaper ture 28 in thewall 19. The stud is provided with an upper screw threaded portion 29 of smaller diameter than the body-of the stud providing a shoulder '30. which is in the plane of the outer 9 be Of tinfoil 1 is spaced laterally of its secondary connected to the nut 24 by wire 34. It will be noted that this terminal of the transformer is completely insulated from the transformer casing and the exterior of the device, even when the air activating element is re-- moved from the transformer casing. The stud 26 is grounded to the transformer casing 11 and serves as a convenient connection to the other ter minal of the secondary of the transformer by means of the wire 35. The metallic rim 14 of the air activating element is also grounded to the transformer casing 11 and to insure good electrical connection a spring connector 36 may be positioned between the body portion of the stud and the transformer casing so as to bear upon the rim l4. 7

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and i, the eccentric disc 31 may be revolved about its pivot 29 and, because of its eccentricity about this pivot, may be adjusted to have any lateral spacing from the electrode 15 between the desired limits. In Figure 2 the edge of the disc is shown as being slightly spaced laterally from the electrode 15, in Figure 3 the disc is shown overlapping the electrode 15, and in Figure 4 the edge of the disc is shown entirely without the space between the electrode 15 and the electrode 14.

As an example of the specific construction of a device embodying my invention, the following description is given. The inner electrode 15 may inches in diameter and 5/1000 of an inch in thickness. The dielectric plate 13 may be .a circular piece of glass 1% inches in diameter and 18/1000 of an inch in thickness, such that the metallic rim or outer electrode 14 from the inner electrode by approximately inch. This construction is such that when a power input of 4800 volts, cycle A. C. is used, the electrical input, the area of the inner electrode, the thickness of the dielectric plate, and the spacing apart of the electrodes are balanced so as to produce intense activation of the air when the disc 31 is in the position shown in Figure 4, without forming measurable quantities of ozone, said activation L being completely free from the formation of oxides of nitrogen.

In a device as described above, a stud 26 is mounted so as to have its center -H; of an inch distant from the periphery of the electrode 15. The disc 12 is of suitable metal such as spring brass, 5/1000 of an inch in thickness, or any other electrically conductive metal, said disc being approximately 1 inches in diameter and having the center of its eccentric aperture 32 spaced of an inch from one edge of the periphery of the disc and of an inch from the opposite edge.

'As'described above, the stud 26 along with the electrode 14 is connectedto the ground potential side of the electrical power source, and the disc is placed in such a position thatit is held from lateral movement by the threaded portions of the stud and from vertical movement by the shoulder thereof and a threaded nut screwed down on the threaded portion of the stud.

, 'I find now that if I loosen said nut and rotate said disc on its eccentric axis to the position which permits of the greatest overlapping of the dielectric plate, that the disc is then superimposed by approximately of an inch over the under electrode of the activating element. If I then impress the aforesaid voltage from the under electrode to the newly formed ground electrode represented by the disc, the discharge is so intensified by reason of the disc that measurable quantities not only of ozone but of oxides of nitrogen are formed.

I find that if I next rotate my disc to a point where its periphery is approximately above the periphery of the inner electrode, there being no overlapping of electrodes, and similarly impress said voltage across said electrodes, that I form measurable quantities of ozone but no quantities whatever of the oxides of nitrogen.

If I still further rotate my disc to the position of a half turn from its original position, I find that its periphery over the circle formed by the inside of the fixed outerelectrode, and that upon impressing said voltage across the electrodes, no ozone whatever is formed, but merely an activation of the air occurs, exactly the same as though the disc were not a part of the device.

As'indicated at 37, the disc may be provided with graduations and a zero line 38 may be etched or otherwise formed upon the surface of the dielectric plate.

By practicing the foregoing procedures, I find that it is possible to vary the output of the activating element by infinitesimal degrees merely by turning the disc through the radius of a semicircle. I also find that if greater percentages of the oxides of nitrogen are unobjectionable, a disc of larger diameter, and of greater eccentricity, may be employed to produce this result as well as all of the intermediate results; and that if it is deemed inadvisable under any conditions to produce the oxides of nitrogen, a smaller disc than that first described above and of less eccentricity, may be employed. That is, if the disc is of such a is approximately directly diameter and eccentricity that the overlapping of 2 the electrode 15 and disc 31 can be increased, the percentage of oxides of nitrogen can be increased or ifthe diameter and eccentricity of the disc is such that it is impossible to overlap the disc 31 and the electrode 15, no oxides of nitrogen will be produced. I find also that the output may be increased both in character and intensity by positioning two or more discs similarly spaced around the outer rim of the activating element. I also find that when it is desired to produce relatively large quantities of the oxides of nitrogen, it is possible to accomplish this to a still further extent than above described, if the discs, instead of possessing a smooth circular periphery, are formed with pointed teeth, as those of a circular saw. I still further find that if instead of a solid, flat, metal disc, a similar disc of wire gauze or corrugated metal be employed, that the entrapping pockets therein provide a means for re-treatment of the ozonized gases and form still increasing amounts of the oxides of nitrogen.

The usefulness of the invention disclosed above will be obvious to those skilled in the art. As a single illustration it may be pointed out that ozonization is useful in household refrigerators,

is'f'actorilyeliminated, while,'on the other hand, if over-ozonization occurs the edible fats, as'b'utte'r, etc.; are partially-converted into foulsmelli-ng, disagreeable tasting oz'onides. It is well'known that the-food compartments of suchrefrigerators vary in size, usually from 4 cubic feetto 20 cubic feet; that the power input is subject to-great'va riation due to the locality in whichthe refrigerat tor is installed; and it has been found that changes in temperature and humidity affect the quantity and character of the output of an air activator within the food compartment of such arefrig erator. By way of explanation of thislatter statement, it may ice-pointed out that the temperature and humidity of the food compartment of such a refrigerator when'th'e' door is erased: is

fairly constant; but when with'an' internal tem' perature of 40 F. with, say, relative humidity, the door ofthe refrigerator is'op'ened and air of with 7 5 humidity, isadmitted'; a film' of Water instantly forms all over the'interior of the food; compartment and on the surfaces of the air activator itself. From the foregoing itfyvil'lbe seen that an air activator suitable under certain conditions a household refrigerator might be unsuitable under others. The present invention, however, makes it possible to employ the same device under all normal variations of electrical current, size of food compartment, and changes of temperature and humidity, merely by rotating the dial or disc above described. Likewise, in all other situations in which air activators are useful, it will be found that the wide range of variations have heretofore made the employment of a single instrument impossible, but that special activators have to be devised for special needs. The present invention provides a means whereby the exact degree of air activation within the range of possibilities of a given electrical input 1 may be accurately produced and may be varied from time to time to meet changing conditions.

In the foregoing embodiment of my invention reference is made, purely for the purpose of illustration, to its adaptation to the air aci tivator of my oo-pending application referred to.

I desire it understood that my new activator and the method of using it is not limited to this use but that it may, without departing from the scope of the invention, be employed either with or without modification to the control of any other type of air activators and ozonizers. I further point out that whereas for the purpose of illustration I have described an embodiment of my invention which employs a rotatable disc, that I do not limit myself to this form of construction but have successfully used other types of movable ground potential terminals, such as flat strips which may be advanced or retracted laterally across the dielectric plate, and such as fine wires centrally embedded in screws, which wires may be brought closer to or farther from the dielectric plate by the turning of their supporting screws, which screws may be mounted in threaded holes positioned to accomplish this result and suitably connected to the high tension voltage of the transformer so as to be at ground potential.

An important feature of my invention resides in the provision of an external, movable element by the mechanical manipulation of which either the quantity or the character of the output of an air activator, or both, may be varied without altering the internal construction of the air activator and which, if desired, may be adjusted so as to not interfere with the normal output of such activator.

I laim r 1; In an -air activatona dielectric plate, a first electrodesecu redto'on'e face 'of' said plate, a

secondelectrode-having a surface adjacent the other face of'said plate and normally spaced laterally from said first electrode and means to vary the lateral spacing between said electrodes. 2. An air activator comprising a-relatively thin dielectric plate-an electrode in contact with one face of the- 'diel'ectric plateand asecond electrode: in contact with the other face-of the di-' electricplate; "said I electrodes being normally spaced laterally from each other, means to impress an electrical potential across'said electrodes, at least one of said electrodes being exposed to the air being treated and at least one of said electrodes being movable in the plane of aface of theplate to vary the lateral spacing of said electrodes. v I I A'n air'activator com-prising a' relatively thin dielectric plate, an electrode in contact with one face ofthe'dielectric plate and a second electrode in" contact with the other face of the-dielectric plate, said electrodes beingnormally spaced "latorally from eachpther,means toimpress an elece trical potential across said electrodes, at least one of said electrodes being exposed to the air being treated and at least one of said electrodes being movable in the plane of a face of the plate to vary the lateral spacing of said electrodes, and

means to lock said electrode in adjusted position.

4. An air activator comprising a dielectric plate, an electrode secured to one face of the dielectric plate and spaced from the edges thereof, a second electrode surrounding said dielectric plate and having a surface substantially in the plane of a face of said dielectric plate, and means to impress an electric potential across said electrodes.

5. An air activator comprising a dielectric plate, an electrode secured to one face of said dielectric plate, said electrode being spaced from an edge of said plate, a second electrode engaging said edge of said plate and extending outwardly therefrom, said second electrode having a surface substantially in the plane of a face of said plate, and means to impress an electric potential across said electrodes.

6. An air activator comprising a dielectric plate, an electrode secured to one face of said dielectric plate, said electrode being spaced from an edge of said plate, a second electrode engaging said edge of said plate and extending outwardly therefrom, said second electrode forming a support for said plate and having a surface substantially in the plane of a face of said plate, and means to impress an electric potential across said electrodes.

7. An air activator comprising a relatively thin dielectric plate, an electrode in contact with one face of said plate, said electrode being spaced from an edge of said dielectric plate, a second electrode engaging said edge of said dielectric plate, said second electrode extending outwardly from said edge and having a surface substantially in the plane of the other face of said dielectric plate, an auxiliary electrode having a surface in the plane of said other face of said plate, said auxiliary electrode being movable over the surface of said other face of said plate.

8. An air activator comprising a relatively thin dielectric plate, an electrode in contact with one face of the dielectric plate and a second electrode in contact with the other face of the dielectric plate, said electrodes being normally spaced lat- I 1 I a I i I Y I I I 1 erafl'y I from each other, means ito impress an dwc'mg an; elestrical dischar between; said 8 i fal'ecoricfilpfitefitial iacrosssaid; electrodes, at1east -tr0des .n, I v g I i I I I i g I I I I ;5 one of saidi electrcdesi beingexpcs'ec li to the: air: l;1-1 .=An a activatorelement; comprising; a I being treated and atieasfi 'n'nei or siazid electrodes; I ativelythin dielectriiaplatfi a; thmmetallis ale 1 being; movable in the plane: of a; face of the: piate i trode securedmaone face of said plate andsmce. o varymhe: lateral. spacing of asaid electrodes,z said fmm the iedges thfllieof, a .Ir1 e tad.1 ic rim of; can 1 movable electrode comprising s. l conducting disc dusting Immaterial surroumiingsaid plate and iammsunt'e d upon an eccentric pivot; f 1 I i i I I i I gaging-saidIedgeazsaid metallicclectmdg ammha 1 i 9. air iactivatbri element comprising iarela me; of: said :pIate;to whicn said first; e'iectrede 1 tively; thin I dielectric? plate, a: thin metallic eleci-v- 2 secured being. cevered with a; dielectric material, f trade Secured in c nemas bf aid: plate and spaced 3 sazid rim farming is; isecond: electrode, and means; I i mm :the; edges: thereon a metallic rim of songfor pmduci ng Ear: .eiestrieai discharge; between 'ductingmaterial:surraundingsaidplate and en-: a I a I 1 I gaging saii edg esi,- saidf rim iforming 5 a iSGOhdi 1 I electrode; and means for producing an: electriea i ielecjtrzis: plate, I '(fischarg'e between said :eleczredes; I I :1 I I I 1 1 a second m m r c m ris n ar m fi n 'in f I I 10. An-air activatnrzeiement comprising a rela: material surrounding said plate and engagin -the tiveiythi n dieleetriczplataa; thin metallic i elec: dges thereof; said rim farming an elestmcle 1011 I I tr afie secured to one T368 9f said plate? ands'pacedt 'i said member'szbeing shaped twpmviidean, wen i n-om the Edges: tzher eof; a metallic rim ot can ass I adjacent; zone; face 0: i said: dielesbrig; plate ducting material; surrounding said: plate and e n electmdezhaving a isgurfaae adjacent the ,i acs I gaging said edges-s aid xim having a surfane adi i :said; plate within: said: recess; :said; :elecemdeI acent the edges :of the: plate, j su'bstantiallyin the I lane :a: the other face: of 5am plate; said rim so i I 195 3 5 V I V as I I I '20 I i I 

